As a dental hygienist or therapist, your day-to-day practice can present a number of business risks. You can, however, protect yourself against these with the appropriate insurances. In addition to being financially protected, you will need insurance to practice your profession and be legally compliant with UK regulations.
Under the Dentists Act 1984 Section 26A, dentists and dental care professionals (including dental hygienists) are required to hold appropriate coverage before practising. This means you will need insurance policies in place should a compensation claim be brought against you for negligence, errors, or omissions in providing care.
While your employer will have Dental Practice Insurance in place as it’s their own business, it is strongly recommended that you arrange insurance coverage for yourself, instead of relying on your employer’s policy as their policy may not extend to cover you ‘under your own steam’.
Medical Malpractice Insurance
Medical Malpractice provides cover for financial protection should a patient bring a claim of negligence against you. This type of policy covers legal fees associated with defence, settlements, or damages. It is an essential protection for both employed and self-employed hygienists and dental therapists.
Equipment Insurance
Working on a self-employed basis often requires you to travel between multiple practices, potentially putting your equipment at risk in the process. Correctly insuring your equipment while travelling and at various practices is vital to safeguard valuable equipment such as airflow devices and loupes. With you as the owner, likelihood is that any practices you work from will have their own insurance, but it might not extend to cover these items, and your home insurance might not be equipped to cover these business items. If your equipment is stolen, lost or damaged, this type of Medical Equipment Insurance policy can cover the cost of repairing or replacing these items. You can even protect for loss of earnings while you are sourcing replacement or new equipment with the Business Interruption Insurance we can provide.
Public Liability
Public Liability Insurance is especially important for self-employed hygienists or those who work in several different dental practices. Should you lease a room within a practice, you could have a duty of care to those entering that space, leaving you liable. Public Liability cover protects you against claims from third parties (i.e. members of the public, including patients) for accidental injury or damage to their property. For example, if one of your patients trips on a step in your surgery or slips on a wet floor, Public Liability cover can protect against a lawsuit brought against you by that patient. It covers legal fees and compensation costs including potential ongoing care for the lifespan of any individual. Whereas Medical Malpractice Insurance relates directly to clinical treatment, Public Liability covers you for claims by members of the public sustaining injury or damage to their property.
Employers’ Liability
Where Public Liability protects you against claims from members of the public who sustain injury; Employers Liability Insurance protects you against claims from those employed by you. If you employ staff, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, you are required by UK law to have Employers’ Liability Insurance. If you don’t have Employers’ Liability cover in place, you could be fined up to £2,500 every day you are not properly insured. For more information on your legal obligations, see the UK Government guidance on Employers’ Liability Insurance.
Even if you do not directly employ someone under a formal contract, insurers may define employees as including:
Individuals under a contract of service or apprenticeship with you.
Individuals borrowed by or hired to you.
Individuals employed by labour-only subcontractors.
Individuals under a work experience or training scheme.
Voluntary helpers working under your control in connection with your business.
Employers’ Liability cover provides you with financial protection should an employee of yours sustain an injury or become ill due to working for you. The policy can cover you for legal expenses, settlements and potential ongoing care costs that may arise should your employee claim compensation.
Cyber Insurance
As a dental hygienist, you will undoubtedly handle sensitive patient data, including medical histories, X-rays, and payment details, often stored digitally. Storing sensitive data can make you vulnerable to cyber threats such as data breaches, ransomware, or accidental information leaks.
Cyber Insurance helps protect against the financial and reputational consequences of these incidents by covering costs such as:
- Forensic investigations
- Data reinstatement
- Defence costs & awards
- Patient notification
- Reputation reinstatement costs
It can also provide access to specialist IT and crisis management support. Cyber cover is an essential safeguard to support you and your business (however small or large), in the event of a cyber-attack.
Whether you are a self-employed or employed dental hygienist or therapist, we can arrange a tailored insurance policy to suit your needs. Contact us today for a free quote or to discuss the policies available.
